Former SAA Chair Released on Bail After Fraud and Corruption Charges

Dudu Myeni, former chairperson of South African Airways (SAA), has been granted bail of ZAR10,000 after being arrested on charges of fraud and corruption. Myeni is accused of receiving kickbacks totaling over ZAR300,000 related to security upgrades at her home and travel expenses from Bosasa, a now-defunct company implicated in corruption scandals. The charges stem from alleged misconduct during her tenure as SAA chair, with accusations of failing to disclose interests and benefiting from irregularities in security upgrades and travel arrangements.

Myeni appeared in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court alongside Trevor Mathenjwa, former director of Sondolo IT, a Bosasa subsidiary. Both were granted bail and are set to reappear in court on November 17. The charges focus on Myeni’s actions between May 2014 and March 2015, during her role as SAA chair. The Investigating Directorate (ID) of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that Myeni violated SAA’s Conflict of Interest Policy and received security upgrades and travel benefits, which she failed to disclose.

Myeni’s arrest follows her designation as a “delinquent director” by the South African High Court in 2020, prompted by allegations of acting dishonestly, recklessly, and breaching fiduciary duties during her directorship at SAA. Corruption allegations against Myeni date back several years, implicating her in facilitating contracts for companies linked to the Gupta family and influencing high-profile government appointments. The Zondo Commission, investigating state capture, found Myeni guilty of corruption, and a 2022 commission report recommended charging her with fraud and corruption.

The former SAA chair’s legal troubles have deepened over the years, with persistent accusations of corruption and abuse of power. The latest charges add to the complex legal saga surrounding Myeni, shedding light on alleged financial improprieties during her leadership at SAA.